schneider



J. G. SCHNEIDER.

3 Sheets Sheet 1.

STREET GAR.

y (No Model.)

No. 442,830. Patented Deo. 1e. 1890.

(ivo Model.) 3 sheets-sheen 2. Y J. G. SCHNEIDER.

STREET GAR. No. 442,830. Patented Deo. 16. 1890.

nu; mams pzrsnsbo., Hunan-ua., wnsumsmu, u. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. G. SCHNEIDER. STREET GAR.

N0.442,830. Patentedne-16-189o.

\ Vy E N'IED I TATES Artnr ,IOIIN G. SCHNEIDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONEJIALF TO FRANK RIEDLE, OF SAME PLACE.

sTRET-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 442,830, dated December 16, 1890.

Application filed August 11, 189Q. Serial No. 361,736. (No model.)v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,in the eonntyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Passenger or Street Car, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, that will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a partof thisspecication.

This invention relates to improvements in passenger and street cars and vehicles of a silnilar character, and has for its object the construction of a combination car which may be readily converted'into a f summer or winter l car, as will be hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a broken-away side elevation of a closed or winter car embodying my improved features; Fig. 2, a similar view showing the structure converted into an open or summer car; Fig. 3, a detached elevation of the closed or winter panel; Fig. 4, an open or summer panel of wire-cloth; Fig. 5, a broken-away view looking toward one of the seats; Fig. 6, a horizontal section lin plane 6, Fig. Fig. 7, a detached detail.

Fig. S shows an end view of the folding step for the open car. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal horizontal section in plane 9, Fig. l, showing the seat-s arraugedt'or the winter car. Fig. l0 is a similar view showingtlie arrangement of seats when converted into a summer car. Fig. ll is an elevation of the removable central part of one of the end seats of the summer arrangement; Fig. 12', an end elevation of one of the removable central inside parts of the summer car, and Fig. 13 a brokenaway plan of the same. 4

The sides of the car-body are composed of anumberof removable panels extending from the letter-board down to the iioor. Each panel consists of the window-sections A, the upper panel B, and the lower narrower part C, extending down between the ends of the seat, as shown in Fig. l, which is the construction for the closed or winter car.

Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the com bination panels.

The vertical framing-posts C are beveled on opposite sides, as at a, the bevel stopping just short of the inner edge, so as to provide the projecting edge a' on each side and form a bearing edge or stop for the contacting surface of the panel-frame. The framing edges of the panel and window sections are correspondingly` beveled, so as to wedge in between theframing-posts and form a tight joint, and they may then be fastened lin any suitable manner to permit of their being readily removed. The molding a2 of the removable panel-sections projects a little all around and will bear against the exterior framing-surface. The molding a2 around the bottom part of the panel is broken away in Fig. 3, showing the pegs a3, which are adapted to engage with apertures in the tloor of the car. The rubber block a4 is set in the bottom edge of the panel and is adapted to engage with a corresponding recess in the car-floor and form a cushion to prevent any rattling incident to the vibration of the car.

The stationary seats D for the closed car are arranged, as shown in Fig. 9, with an aisle or passage longitudinal through the center, the passengers getting on and oft at the respective ends. f

By removing the panel and window sections the structure is converted into the `open car illustrated in Fig. 2, the seats being arranged as shown in Fig. 10,the aisles running trans-` versely and the passengers getting on and oft at the sides of the car.

The longitudinal aisle or passage between the seats in Fig. 9 is closed, and the seating capacity increased in the summer structure by means of the removable seats E inserted between the adjacent ends of the seats I), as shown in Fig. 10. The adjacent ends of the seats D are provided with the vertical groove or gain b, and the respective ends of the removable seats E are provided with the rib or tongue b', (see Figs. l2 and 13,) which is adapted to engage with thegrooves (i, and thus form a continuous transverse seat. The legs of the removable seat E terminate in the peg end b2, (see Fig. 12,) fitting into corresponding apertures in the Hoor of the car for the purpose of assisting in removably securing said seat in place. The back of the removable central part E of the end seats, Figs. and 1l, is provided at each end with the rib b3, vhich IOC engages with the corresponding recesses lin the inner ends of the stationary part of the seats, and is thus removably held in position in the summer structure.

F represents a plate, (see Figs. 5, G, and 7,) which is let into the opposite sides of the different framing parts C and fastened rigidly. This plate is provided transversely with the slot d, and the posts with the recess d', back of said plates, as shown in Fig. 6.

The upper end of the hand-rail F at the respective ends of the seats is provided with the notch d2 (see Fig. 6) and inserted in the slot in said plate, the notch engaging with the edge thereof. A key cl3 is then driven in and the upper end of the hand-rail removably secured in place, the lower end of the handrails -being removably secured to the edge ofthe seats in any suitable manner.

The Tshaped panel F2, Figs. 2 and 4t, is composed of Wire gauze or cloth and is of a form to iit in between the respective ends of the seats, as shown in Fig. 2, closing the eXitpassage on that side-ot` the summer car next the :return-track. NVhen these open panels are to be placed in position, the hand-railsare removed and the 4pins d*V on the panels inserted-in the slotted plates and temporarily keyed in place. The -pins d5 on the bottom edge of the wire .panel engage with holes in the ffloor. forms an Aarm-rest on the side on which it is temporarily used.

The step Gr running along the side of the car :is supported by brackets and adapted to fold upagainst the side when t-he structure is converted into a closed car. By this arrangement a less number of cars are required andfa large expense saved in storage 'for cars that-are-out of season.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. lIn a convertible car, the combinedrremovable panel and Window sectionsextendingfrom the letter-board down to the lbottom of 'the car between the ends of the seats,

This open panel admits :air and` whereby said sections, divided verticallyby the respective framing-posts, may be entirely removed from the structure or replaced as required, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a car structure of the character described, the combination, with the vertical framing-posts having opposite sides beveled, as described, of the removable panel and window sections having their framing edges correspondinglybeveled and adapted to be removably inserted between the respective posts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the removable panel-sections, of the pegs a3 and the rubber block a4, substantially as described.

4. Ina convertible car structure, -thecombiuation, with the stationarv transverseseats, ofthe removable seats yhaving ribs wh-ichengage with corresponding grooves in the stationary'seatsand the pegs projecting from the lower edge of the removable .seat vand adapted to engage with correspondingapertures in the iloor, substantially as described.

5. Ina convertible` car structure, the combination, with the stationary seats .having vertical grooves in the inner or .adjacent ends, of theremovable seats providedon their -.respective ends with a rib adapted to engage 

